The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-11-23
iSomsthiDg About Belgium, the Most DsusslY
Populated Country ia the World.
Brusssls, . Niniaturs PArls-Its hotels
Streets, Street Cars and Fountsins.
Excursion to WstsrlOo-L Day Passed in
Examining the Great Battle Field.
way-Spanish Nobility-Homeward
Bound, via Paris.
Special Letter to the Sentinel.

Special Letter to the sentinel.
LONDON, England.
The little kingdom of Belgium is said
to be the most densely populated country
in the world, there being an average of
ever 500 inhabitants to the square mile. 1t
also claims to have more miles of railway
for its territory than any other country.
The Language most generally used is
French, although Flemish Is still largely
spoken among the masses. The nation Is
famous for its manufacturing interests
Brussels being especially noted for its laces
and its carpets.
BRUSSELS, 1.-THE BARS IN MINIATURE"
Brussels or HBruxelles' the Capital
OF Belgium, is situated in the
Province of North Brabaut, and is
q beautiful city of some half mil
lion inhabitants. 1t is a charming place
and is well described as "Paris in minia-
ture" and like the latter, ia largely gwen
revelry by night" Ny hotel the Hotel
de Bellevue is splendidly situated in the
"Place Royale," adjoining the Kings
Palace and the Park, and facing the hand
some bronze statue of the Great Crusader,
godfrey of Bouillon. In sight is the
Palace of the Count OF Flanders, the old
Palace of the Prince of Orange and the
s'Palais de la Nation" the place of meeting
Of the Belgium Parliament. Two or three
blocks distant is the new Palace of JUS
tioe, the finest public building in
Europe, and after our own capitol at Wash
iDgtoD, the handsomest structure have
sver seen. 1t was only completed in 1888,
and cost the Government ten millions of
dollars. The itMusee,p which is only q
few steps from the hotel, comprises an ex-
cellent picture gallery, museum of
modern inventions, gallery of natural
history and mineralogy, and the Royal
Library of 300, 900 volumes. The old part
of the city, or Lower Town, is the residence
of the poorer classes, and Is an interesting
place to the stranger with, its picturesque
old Brabantian houses and its narrow,
winding streets. The principal buildings
here are the imposing "Hotel de Ville," or
City Hall, and the old Cathedral OF st.
~Gudule." In the chapel OF the Cathedral
several sacred waters ara carefully guarded,
which tradition says were at one time sac
religiously stolen on Good Friday by Jews,
who stabbed them irreverently with their
knives when blood gushed forth all over
them. As result OF this ridiculous charge
many innocent Jews we're put to death by
the enraged and ignorant inhabitants.
opposite the Hotel de Vile stands an old
house known as the "Maison du Roi,"
where it is claimed the great Charles the
Fifth signed his abdication, and from
'front.' window OF which the bloody Duke
OF Alva witnessed the execution of the pa
triots Egmont and Hoorn. The ancient
Porte de Hal, or City Gate once prison,
is now used as a museum of antiquities
and early weapons and armor.
PECULIAR STREET CARS, FOUNTAIN, ETC.
l lave observed in Brussels
peculiar fact in connection with the
street cars, that 1 have never seen any
where else, and that is that each car is di-
vided in half and one part devoted to first
class passengers and tie other to second
class. This is after the manner of all
European railways, but have never seen
1t used on street railroads before. There
IL regular line of street cars here, run by
electrical power, which seems to give good
satisfaction. tried it and found it ap-
parently working ali right.
1 had almost forgotten to mention the
famous "Mannakin" fountain, one OF the
chief sights of Brussels. This ancient and
celebrated little bronze statue is some
what peculiarly if not immodestly con-
structed, but 1t is regarded with the great
est reverence and affection by the
.sitizens of Brussels. They look upon
it with almost as much veneer
alton as aid the Jews the Ark
before which David danced, and on
important fete days it is dressed up in a
Uniform and gaily and gorgeously deco
rated. Three miles from the city is
Laeken, where the King has a palace,
which formerly belonged to Napoleon,
who presented 1t to the Empress jose
phine. The new church at Laeken is the bu-
rial place of the Belgian royal family, and
Nine. Aslibran, the great singer, Is buried
In the adjoining cemetery.
WATERLOO, THE WORLD RENOWNED BATTLE
FIELD.
The excursion to Waterloo is one which,
OF course, every visitor to Brussels makes,
and Ispent an entire day in wandering over
this celebrated battlefield visiting the va
rious points OF historical interest NV
guide was an old soldier who fought upon
che side of France in the great battle, and
ne became wrought up to the highest pitch
as he thrillingly narrated the exciting
events of the terrible conflict. / could not
help sharing somewhat in his enthusiasm
as stood npnn th6 historic ground where
the fate of Europe was decided and listened
70 his vivid description of the devoted he
reism OF the noble cod Guard that died
but never surrendered" and the gallant
stand made By the English during the long
hours when Wellington sighed for might
or Butcher" and before the grim command
was given OF up, Guards, and at theml"
Poor Napoleon's ''vapating ambition DER
leaped Itself" Tut after all there are no
Waterloos Tat can dim that illustrious
career, a~<d what man ambitious for INDY
ing .ane would not be Napoleon rather
1aAa his conquerors2-"Forh his were deeds
that can not pass away, and his name may
not wither, though the earth forgets her
empires with q just decay" Looking over
this fair and peaceful field to-day, one can
hardly realize that 1t was once the scene OF
wars bloody and cruel strife, where were
rider and horse, friend and foe, In one red
burial blent." All about are evidences
of the better and holier tri-
zmphs of peace, and no alarm
ing drum or fierce sound OF battle
disturps the quiet surroundings now
where
sArdennes waves above them her green leaves
Dewy with Natures tear drops, as they pass
0rievipe IL aught inanimate e'er grieves,
Over the unreturning brave, alas.
OFF FOR FRANCE AND sPAIE-ToWEs BIZ THE
WAY.
Returnipgto Brussels by the lovely driv
through the forest of "Bois de la Cambre,
Z bid farewell TO mine host of the Bellevue
and am off to France by way of the old
sity OF Lille, passing the important cities o
Ath, EDghein and Journal on the way
Lille is short distance across the Frencl
frontier, and is the chief town Of Frencl
Flanders, or the Department OF tn
Nerd" 1t has q population of 80. 900 in
habitants. and Is noted for its cotton spin
ming and other manufactures. The grea
citadel here was built by Vauban, and 9
that time was considered one of the stronl
est fortresses In Europe. It was capture
by the EDglish under the Duke OF Mar